Jesus: Is He Worth It?

Introduction (5m)

We all have decisions to make - some are easier than others

Ask for suggestions

Hard decisions can make us feel unhappy even though they are the right ones to make. E.g. having a hard conversation.

Ask Jonty to come to the front in his football kit

Ask what they think he is dressed as!

How do you know Jonty is dressed as a football fan?

Wearing all the right gear.

Kit identifies him with his team.

What do football fans do when their team scores a goal?

Clap, make lots of noise, jump up and down, but especially singing or shouting.

Ask Jonty if he knows any clean football chants.

How does a really keen fan follow their football team?

Buys new strip, sticker albums, magazines, subscribes to TV channel or website, collect programmes, buy a season ticket, travel to away games.

When playing, pretend to be one of their heroes, maybe copying their goal celebration!

Explanation (5m)

Stand up

How would a football fan behave when they are in a crowd of supporters from the other team?

Preston! - end with the Norwich fans stripping off to support lap of honour.

Jesus tells us we shouldn’t be afraid to stand up for him

Matthew 10:26 NLT

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.

May decide to keep quiet in crowd because you don’t feel safe (Sheffield Utd) but living for Jesus is much more serious:

Matthew 10:28 NLT

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

We can be brave because God loves us so much he even knows the individual hairs on our head:

Matthew 10:30 NLT

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

May not seem much of a miracle for me! But miracle that God knows the answer to that.

We should be willing to “stand up and be counted”

Let people know what we believe, even if our views are not popular.

Football colours = stand up and counted as fan.

Christians should also stand up and be counted for Jesus.

In TSA, we have any easy way to do that - we have our own colours!

But more importantly, we need to be open about our faith and share Jesus with others wherever we are.

Shout out

Football fans know songs and chants and sing and shout them loudly. Declare publicly which team they belong to and support.

One of the oldest still in use in the world goes like this:

Kick off, throw in, have a little scrimmage,

Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die;

On the ball, City!

Never mind the danger,

Steady on, now’s your chance,

Hurrah! We’ve scored a goal.

Jesus: we need to shout out, declare, or proclaim for him:

Matthew 10:32–33 NLT

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

If we do, then the promise he will shout out for us before God. But if we keep quiet, then he will reject us before God.

A football fan will always shout out for his team

He loves them so much and is committed to them.

Do we respond to Jesus in the same way?

Application (5m)

Follow

We know Jonty is a football fan, because he’s wearing the kit, the uniform.

We know a real football fan is obsessed by their team: kit, subscriptions, programmes, tickets, travel.

When Jesus speaks about following him

Matthew 10:38–39 NLT

If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

We must imitate him - live holy, Christlike lives.

We must choose his way over all others - take up our cross and follow him.

There will be times when our Christian faith is challenged, and we have a decision to make

Will we stand up? Or will we keep quiet?

Will we shout up when we need to speak up for Jesus and his values, or choose to be silent?

Will we follow by imitating Jesus and living his way, or will we choose what we think the world thinks is acceptable?

God cares for us and Jesus will speak up for us when we speak up for him

If we follow Jesus as enthusiastically as a committed football fan follows their football team, then promise we will find the abundant and eternal life God longs to give us.

If a football fan didn’t stand up for their team, didn’t know the songs, didn’t speak up for their team, and didn’t wear the kit, we wouldn’t think they were much of a football fan.

Do the people you know, know you are a Christian? Do they see you wear the kit? Do they see you stand up for Jesus? Do they know you follow him?

Jesus is worth it. He is worth standing up for. He is worth shouting out for. He is worth following.

Let’s make that decision (again) today and ensure we publicly acknowledge and follow Jesus, adopting his way of living.

Next Steps

SB 649 - If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly

If crosses come, if it should cost me dearly To be the servant of my Servant Lord;  If darkness falls around the path of duty,  And men despise the Saviour I?ve adored: I?ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;  I?m called to live to love and save the lost.  I?ll not turn back, whatever it may cost;  I?m called to live to love and save the lost.  2 If doors should close then other doors will open,  The Word of God can never be contained.  His love cannot be finally frustrated,  By narrow minds or prison bars restrained.  3 If tears should fall, if I am called to suffer,  If all I love men should deface, defame,  I?ll not deny the One that I have followed,  Nor be ashamed to bear my Master?s name. John Gowans (1934-2012) © The General of The Salvation Army. Used By Permission. CCL Licence No. 135015 Copied from The Song Book of The Salvation Army Song Number 649